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Pattaya Sports Club passes its 3rd milestone
Sunday, February 24th will be recorded in the annals of
the Pattaya Sports Club (PSC) history as the day it passed its 3rd
milestone. That was the official opening of the PSC clubhouse. An event
that was the reward for more than 20 years of hard work by the members.
 His
Holiness Phra Kru Patrakijviboon (Acharn Kan) abbot of Wat Huay Yai
anoints and blesses the PSC sign with holy symbols.
Little did the founder, Bill Gilmore, or any of the
founding members realize that the PSC would grow into such an important
organization in the framework of Pattaya society. However, the governor of
Chonburi, Chadej Insawang, in his acceptance to perform the official
opening of the new clubhouse showed that the Chonburi Province, not just
Pattaya City, understood the great value and importance of the PSC in
these days. The governor made note publicly of the fact that the PSC has
been such a stalwart supporter of local charities, and of needy children
in particular.
Governor
Chadej cuts the ribbon to officially declare open the Pattaya Sports Club
Administrative building.
A
Group picture in front of the PSC building at the end of the ceremonies.
Wiwat
Phatanasin President of the Sattaya Golf Club, Naris Petcharat Lions 310C
District Governor, Dr.Yongvit Kaewcharoen and Dr. Nop Sukpanyatham from
the Lions Club congratulate President Carl and Past President Peter.
Pol.
Col. Jirat Pichitpai, Sopin Tappajug, Wannapa Wannasri and Vitoon
Wongsawat, staunch supporters of the PSC.
Governor
Chadej makes his official opening speech.
President
Carl makes his report to the Governor supported by members of the PSC
Executive Committee.
The current PSC president, Carl Engel, in his welcoming
address made special mention of Sopin Thappajug of the Diana Group and
Wannapa Wannasri (Ju) from Pattaya City Hall, both of whom had worked
tirelessly for the organization.
 His
Holiness Acharn Kan anoints and blesses the doorway to the conference room
assuring harmonious meetings of indulgence and solidarity.
He also said that when he saw the solid support,
recognition and the respect that was apparent that morning, it must make
all Pattaya Sports Club members very proud to be a part of such an
organization.
 Friends
join President Carl in performing the ceremony of making merit.
In his response, Carl outlined the history of the PSC,
and how 22 years ago the few foreign residents of Pattaya were mainly
those who stayed after serving with the US military during the Vietnam
War. Among them was Bill Gilmore, a retired US air force Lt. Colonel. It
was he who brought the sports minded people together to establish a club
to organize sports in Pattaya. This was the start of the PSC, and the
club’s first milestone.
 President
Carl makes an offering to Acharn Kan.
President Carl continued his address by saying,
“Starting with 31 charter members, and a monthly sports calendar
consisting of only one event, golf, the growth of our club mirrors the
growth of Pattaya. As Pattaya rapidly became popular as a tourist
destination, our club grew in members and in activities. Bowling followed
golf, then darts, softball, fishing, tennis, squash and now a computer
group has been added to the club’s line-up.”
He outlined the philosophy of the PSC, which from the
outset had decided against being a “commercial” enterprise. “From
the very beginning Pattaya Sports Club policy has always been only to
promote sports and support local charities,” he said.
 President
Carl Engel receives a bouquet of goodwill wishes form Neera Srisumpan of
the Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital.
Continuing with PSC history, he said, “By the late
1980’s, word had spread among local residents, regular visitors, and
tourists, that the benefits of Pattaya Sports Club membership were
substantial. And, as our membership grew, so did our ability to support
the needy children, local schools, hospitals, the aged, and the
handicapped of our community.”
It was not long after this period that the PSC realized
it must change its informal status to a registered non-profit association.
After the application and waiting period, the PSC was granted non-profit
association status in 1996. That, according to President Carl was the 2nd
milestone.
 President
Carl gives the Governor a guided tour of the premises.
He acknowledged this by saying, “Since becoming a
registered non-profit association, we have had to work harder, but the
results have been rewarding, both for our club and for our local
community. We had to become much more professional in the way we handle
our day-to-day affairs, especially in the accounting and finances area.
“In 1999, with membership exceeding 10,000 and our
donations to local charities exceeding 1 million baht annually, we started
to plan our 3rd milestone - a permanent home, our own clubhouse.
“After a budget of 3.8 million baht was granted to
buy land and construct a clubhouse, the planning and organizing commenced.
An expert volunteer team managed the project, and all our goals were met,
such as finding a convenient location, a site with ample parking, building
a clubhouse that is architecturally distinct and handicap friendly, and
capable of meeting not only our current needs, but also our future
needs.”
Of
course everyone had a lot to eat and drink. Thank you Ken!
That 3rd milestone was passed after the official
opening by the governor and was marked by a religious ceremony by the
monks to bless and dedicate the site and the building. Bands from two
local schools played, while other schoolchildren performed traditional
dances. A fitting form of entertainment, considering just how much effort
the PSC has put into the education of children in this region.
 Another
splendid show by The Melodeon Marching Band from Pattaya Nukul (No.8)
School.
It would be difficult to imagine Pattaya without the
Pattaya Sports Club, and with this new and permanent home, the needy of
Pattaya can be assured of permanent assistance from this worthy and
charitable organization. Bill Gilmore and the founding members would be
very pleased with the progress of their PSC.
The
Melodeon Marching Band, the all Thailand Silver Medallists put on their
best and thrilled the crowd with their terrific performance.
Australian Ambassador H.E. Miles Kupa visits the Pattaya Mail
by Peter Cummins
Australian Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Miles Kupa,
during the course of his visit to Chonburi and Rayong Provinces last week,
went to the offices of the Pattaya Mail for discussions with the
managing director Peter Malhotra and three Australian staff writers at the
newspaper: Dr. Iain Corness, Peter Cummins and Brendan Richards.
Accompanying the ambassador were commercial counsellor and trade
commissioner Ian Davey, third secretary of the Political and Economic
Section and deputy permanent representative to ESCAP Jason Mundy, visits
coordinator and research officer Pornthida Thongplengsri and last - but,
certainly not least - media officer Baralee Meesukh.
The
Aussies and the Mailmen! Peter Malhotra presents a basket of good cheer to
the ambassador.
Ambassador Kupa was interested in the role of the
newspaper in promoting trade and commerce in the region, noting that the Mail’s
circulation was generally aimed at the industrial sector of the Eastern
Seaboard and the Rayong Industrial Estates.
Peter Malhotra pointed out that Pattaya City was intent
on improving its image and that the city fathers were determined to
upgrade the resort’s standing world-wide, as a desirable tourist venue
for all.
Peter pointed out that visits by Pattaya officials to
Sydney and Melbourne two years ago, the “Pattaya Road Show” had drawn
considerable response from the Australian tourism and travel sector and
was a positive indication of increasing “two-way” exchange, not only
in tourism ventures but, as a consequence, in trade.
Ambassador Kupa noted that some 350,000 Australians had
visited Thailand last year, but the breakdown of locations was not known
(i.e. Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai?).
During his sojourn to the region, the ambassador also
visited the Federation of Thai Industries, the Chamber of Commerce and
Bankers’ Association of Chonburi Province, BHP Steel, the Laem Chabang
Industrial Estate and the Laem Chabang School of Engineering (Swinburne-Tummasari),
amongst other Australian interests around the Eastern Seaboard.
Ambassador Kupa left the Mail on a positive note
and felt that trade and commerce between the two countries was gathering
momentum.
Rotary Charity Walk to raise funds for babies born HIV positive
Appeals to community for assistance
On Saturday, 16 March, the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club
plans to hold a Rotary Charity Walk, starting at 16.00 hours in Pattaya.
The Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club hopes to raise 500,000
baht from this event. All funds collected from this event will be used to
care for children born HIV positive and for other local youth-help
programmes and projects.
The Rotary Club is seeking corporate sponsorship for
this event. The Walk will be conspicuous, while at the same time it will
highlight sponsors’ contributions to such community-oriented events.
Organizers are seeking a minimum donation of 5,000 baht
or 100 baht per entrant and will happily accept all levels of
participation. For example, if you do not wish to enter the Walk yourself,
the Rotary shall recruit students from local schools to walk on your
behalf, carrying your company’s banner, announcing your support of local
charity. Or, perhaps, some of your employees would like to join.
It is anticipated that thousands of children will take
part in this spectacular, dedicated to the needy youngsters in our area.
Shortly, books of tickets will be available.
The Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club, established in 1987,
is totally committed to supporting local Thai charities, made possible
through their diverse activities, sponsorship and numerous fund-raising
events.
Please send your contributions at your earliest
convenience, but no later than 10 March. Checks in favour of the Jomtien-Pattaya
Rotary Club should be mailed, or cash contributions can be made in person
to: Khun Alvi Sinthuvanik, President, Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club, 341/27
Soi 13, Central Pattaya Road, Moo 9, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20260.
Please direct any questions for further information on
the Rotary Charity Walk to: Khun Alvi, mobile 01-864-5754 or e-mail
[email protected]
Shenanigans became alive after 9
 Steve,
Life After 9’s wild electric fiddler from Canada.
Pattaya has its share of wild and wondrous people, and
last weekend Shenanigans managed to find a wild and wondrous band to
entertain the throng. Called “Life After 9” it was a five piece Celtic
rock band arranged around a wild electric fiddler called Steve from Canada
and a lovely lady singer/guitar player called Nancy, also from the top end
of the north American continent.
They played an assortment of tunes ranging from the old
standard (but at double tempo) “Donald where’s yer troosers” to a
frenetic version of the Orange Blossom Special (Lester Flatt and Earl
Scruggs eat your hearts out!).
The more fit members of the crowd bravely ventured onto
the dance floor where Susie Ngamsuwan showed that she is the fittest
person around, disposing of several dance and jig partners in the first of
the band’s sets and then wearing the legs off an American who had the
temerity to try a ho-down with our aerobics instructor!
If you ever get the opportunity again to see “Life
After 9” do so - it’s an experience akin to mixing Michael Flatley’s
Riverdance and the Rolling Stones on the beans!
Pattaya pulls together to re-launch Pattaya to the world
The ITB (International Tourism Bourse) is being held in
Berlin this month and for all of Pattaya, the 18th of March will be a date
to remember. This will be the evening that Pattaya will be re-launched
before the critical eyes of world tourism.
The ITB is the largest tourism ‘expo’ in the world
and is the event where tourist destinations from around the globe all
attempt to gain the attention of travel agents, tour operators and trade
and consumer media. For one tourist attraction, such as a hotel or resort,
to do this is almost impossible. It needs a concerted and combined
approach to have any impact, and this is where Pattaya has placed itself -
producing a combined approach from the Thai Hotels Association, the
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya City and the Provincial
Administration Organization. Between them they have raised 6 million baht
to be used in the re-launch. 6 million that will be used to benefit all
the people of Pattaya - you and me.
(Note: Last week we reported that, “B6 million total
will cover expenses averaging 75,000 baht per person for those
accompanying the road show.” This was incorrect. The 75,000 baht per
person cost is for a road show to Berlin, Zurich and Paris, and people
going on this road show will pay for this out of their own pockets, not
out of the budget provided by the Provincial Administration Organization
or other public funds.)
All these groups understand what must be done to
influence world opinion and how to advise on the current state of affairs
in our resort city. Without tourists Pattaya would slowly die. Informing
the tourism purchasers of the world just how Pattaya has changed will
assure that tourism lifeblood.
Eight years ago, Pattaya went to the ITB, and despite
the optimism expressed publicly, there were many negative impressions of
Pattaya which were voiced to the group. The concern about our image has
not abated, particularly when there have been media delegations to Pattaya
over the past couple of years whose only interest has been in presenting
Pattaya as a city of sleaze. (Interestingly, some of these delegations
have been German, Dutch, English and Australian - all countries which have
their own well known ‘red-light’ areas, but they choose to come here
to ‘expose’ Pattaya, a city with a much smaller section catering to
that market than in their home countries.)
The message to be given to the world will be the
immense strides made by Pattaya in the past few years. Firstly, the sea is
clear. Tourists can swim in it. We are, after all, a beach resort.
Families can enjoy many water sport activities and sun-bake in safety.
Pattaya has unrivalled shopping with world class shopping malls as well as
the small shops.
The access to Pattaya has dramatically altered. The 4
hour nightmare trip is now less than 2 hours of easy access by freeway.
The resort city offers value for money accommodation, with hotels covering
all levels in international resort rooms.
Tourist attractions abound, as do some of the best golf
courses in Asia. Pattaya has more world class golf courses surrounding it
than any other resort city in the world! And our nightlife is operating
within the law - we have no need to be ashamed of it. In fact, we have the
best developed tourism infrastructure in Asia and are the envy of the
Asian tourism community.
It should also be noted that the Pattaya delegation to
the ITB is not advocating “family” tourism at the expense of, or
instead of, other tourist groups. There is enough room here for many
different groups and enough diverse attractions to make this a preferred
tourist destination for everyone.
It really has become time for us - Pattaya - to let the
world know of this. We must stop being so self-effacing, and this is what
the ITB is about. On Monday March 18th, Pattaya is hosting a party for 750
influential people in the tourism business in Europe. The event, which is
the highlight of the ITB week, will be held in the old waterworks in
Berlin, now a convention venue. Thai elephants, Thai food buffet, Thai
drinks and Thai video presentations will take place, with the central
theme being, “It’s time to take another look at Pattaya.”
For all of us, this re-launch will be an important
function. A function that can improve our image and allow the world to see
the “new” Pattaya, the fun resort city that has something for
everyone.
TAT to host “Pattaya Music Festival” March 21
Part of TAT “Touring Thailand Every Month” Program
A free concert has been organized by the Tourist
Authority of Thailand in conjunction with the Grammy Music Company
scheduled on March 21 starting at 3.00 p.m.
The planning committee, chaired by deputy mayor Nirand
Watanasadsathorn met recently to discuss the location, which has yet to be
confirmed. Locations under consideration are across from the Nova Lodge on
Beach Road, the temporary boxing arena on North Pattaya Road, and the
vacant area behind the city health center on Soi 6 off of 2nd Road.
The free concert is part of the Thais Tour Thai concept
drafted by the TAT with the objective of attracting more people around the
country to visit events occurring in Thailand each and every month.
The concert on March 21 is called the “Pattaya Music
Festival” featuring top bands. It will start off in the daytime with
“bop and dance” bands including “Am” - “China Dolls” -
“Tui” - “Moss”, and later in the night “Loso”, “Y not 7”
and more.
Royal Cliff Beach Resort to host “A Night at the Opera”
Royal Cliff Beach Resort in association with D&M
Music Studio, Pattaya Mail and the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, proudly
present a gala dinner concert titled “A Night at the Opera” on
Wednesday, March 13th, 2002 at 7 p.m. in the grand ballroom of the Royal
Cliff Beach Hotel Pattaya (please see ad on page 9).
The evening will feature a troupe of Korean opera
singers, members of the National Opera Company in Korea; namely Bae Ki-nam
(soprano), Jin Kwi-ok (soprano), Kim Un-jiu (soprano), Yu Heui-up
(mezzo-soprano), Lyu Jae-gwang (tenor), Kim Hong-tae (tenor), Park Soo-kil
(baritone), Kim Bum-jin (baritone), Lim Hae-chul (bass) and Park
Seon-jeong (pianist).
The audience will be treated to the most popular operas
and worldwide acclaimed selections from “The Magic Flute”, Samson et
Dalila”, “Don Giovani”, “Tosca”, “The Barber of Seville”,
“Don Carlo”, “Il Trovatore” and excerpts from “La Traviata”.
The ticket is priced at 1,200 baht (for a five course
set dinner). Advance bookings are available by calling the hotel at tel.
(038) 250 421-40.
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